After a run of four Premier League games without a win, which included a 6-0 defeat at Manchester City, Spurs followed up their midweek success at Fulham with a win at the Stadium of Light to move to within three points of second place.

“Our group has been immense in the situation we have faced,” Villas-Boas told reporters after the game. “We got ourselves back on track, into a position where we can challenge for the top.

“This is a credit to them. It is their sweat on the pitch and they’ve been fantastic in the way they’ve approached this game in wanting to play for the badge. It [the defeat at Manchester City] was a result that left us ashamed and this completes our fight back into the season.”

Paulinho's strike and John O'Shea's own goal overturned Adam Johnson's opener to secure Tottenham's eighth win in the Premier League this term, however, Spurs were fortunate not to concede a penalty late on after Sandro handled in the area.

When asked if Sunderland should have been awarded a spot kick, Villas-Boas replied: “I think so.

“I haven’t seen the incident but I’ve heard it is a penalty. It will be difficult for Gus [Poyet] to accept.”

Poyet, meanwhile, expressed his concern for his side’s second-half performance as Sunderland remains five points from safety at the bottom of the table.

“We conceded at the wrong times. I don't want to say a bad word on the second half but it wasn't good enough," said the Uruguayan. “We don’t do the basics for 94 minutes week in, week out. There is always something missing.

“I’m not going to say that [being denied a penalty cost them the game] because even if we get it, we would probably still lose, 5-2, 6-2. The way we are performing at the moment we would probably even miss the penalty.”